Pope Francis has come to America with a message that emphasizes reaching out to the poor and helping the needy.

That message hits home at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Gate City, a historic clapboard wooden church next to the Marks Village housing project in east Birmingham.

"He's again talked about the need to serve the poor," said the Rev. Bryan Jerabek, pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. "That's been a great inspiration."

Holy Rosary church was founded in 1889, celebrated its 125th anniversary last year and has been known for decades as a focal point of Catholic outreach to the poor in Birmingham.

On Sept. 20, Bishop Robert J. Baker dedicated the new St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Learning Center at Holy Rosary Church.

"It was a happy coincidence that we had our dedication the week the pope was coming to America," Jerabek said. "I think we answered his call."

The Salesian religious order for decades ran an urban ministry program out of the church, but the Salesians pulled out of Birmingham on Feb. 1, 2014.

"They were no longer able to staff Holy Rosary," Jerabek said. "We're moving back in the direction of being able to offer more programs."

Now run by the diocese, the opening of the learning center signals a commitment to continue serving the needy, Jerabek said.

"We recognized there was a need for literacy program to help the students in the area improve their reading," Jerabek said. "We had 3rd and 4th graders who had trouble reading."

The new learning center is in an updated office building. "It's a remodeled building with two rooms and bathroom, where children can do homework and receive tutoring assistance," Jerabek said.

It opened Sept. 8, with after-school tutoring on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. "It's a very beautiful, welcoming environment," Jerabek said.

Holy Rosary also hosts a soccer program on its athletic field with 34 youth from Gate City and Woodlawn playing on three teams, and youth also play on the church's basketball court.

The church also hosts a food bank for residents of Woodlawn and Gate City. The food pantry is open on

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. It helps feed 350 families a month.

Holy Rosary has a Mass every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. that draws about 40 people, which is about all Holy Rosary can comfortably seat.

"We have a small congregation, a lot of volunteers from other parishes and we have a wide array of benefactors who help," Jerabek said.

The pope's emphasis on the poor has helped, he said. "We have had more people reach out and want to help," Jerabek said.

"One of the terms the pope has used is going to the periphery of society. Holy Rosary is at the periphery, helping the poor and marginalized. I think we're answering his call, to be present where the love of God is needed."